Stephen Mangan to play Dirk Gently in BBC4 adaptation
Green Wing star Stephen Mangan is to play the title role in BBC4's adaptation of Douglas Adams's Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency.
In the sci-fi comedy drama, Mangan will play the detective who believes in the fundamental interconnectedness of all things. The one-off episode will also star Helen Baxendale and Darren Boyd. It is being adapted by Howard Overman, writer of Channel 4's hit comedy drama Misfits.
Mangan has said of the production: "I've been a fan of Douglas Adams ever since the Hitchhiker's [Guide to the Galaxy] radio series which I used to record as a child and listen to over and over again in my bedroom. It's such a thrill now to be playing one of his brilliant characters. Dirk is a chaotic, anarchic force of nature with a totally unique take on the world. He is described as 'lazy, untidy, dismissive and unreliable'. I've absolutely no idea why they thought I'd be right for the role."
The filming for the pilot has begun, and expected to air in early 2011. The plot revolves around Gently attempting to solve the case of a missing cat, during which he uncovers a mysterious double murder. However, Overman has said that the pilot will not be a straight-forward adaptation of the books.
Ed Victor, Douglas Adams' agent, says: "For all the years I represented the late, great Douglas Adams, the most substantial frustration for both of us was that we couldn't get films made either of Hitchhiker or Dirk. Douglas once said, memorably, that 'getting a film made in Hollywood was like trying to cook a steak by having a bunch of people come into the room and breathe on it'! Well, we did eventually get a film made in Hollywood of Hitchhiker and, tragically, Douglas didn't live to see it. Nor will he see this adaptation of Dirk - but it's worth bearing in mind that Douglas always thought Dirk would make a better film than Hitchhiker and I feel sure that this new TV drama with a terrific script by Howard Overman will prove his point!"
BBC Radio 4 adapted the first two Dirk Gently novels, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency and The Long Dark Teatime of the Soul, between 2007 and 2008, with Harry Enfield playing Dirk Gently (Guide).